• Full Time
  • London
  • Applications have closed.

Website Sodexo

PR & Digital Director, Sodexo
Location: Central London
Salary: c.£85,000 per annum + excellent benefits
Ref: SDX/TP/RF4379/TF
Closing date: 5 April 2020

A rare and unique opportunity has arisen to join Sodexo UK & Ireland as Director of PR & Digital Communications, in this combined role you’ll be responsible for building, positioning the corporate brand through integrated communications channels and campaigns and managing reputational risk, executing crisis and issue management plans.

As an energetic, resilient, ambitious and switched on professional you’ll maximise brand presence through an integrated communications strategy that aligns and activates corporate positioning and storytelling across multiple channels and campaigns. You’ll be focused on creating a measurable impact on regional brand awareness, reputation and growth across the public and private sector. You’ll be the strategic and technical lead for the UK & Ireland’s corporate communications digital ecosystem (SEO, social media channels, website and email) ensuring it’s aligned with the global digital ecosystem, to devise and deliver differentiating corporate brand campaigns connected to business objectives to create a strategic communications plan which is effectively monitored, measured and reported against.

As a resilient, proactive and reactive leader; able to spin multiple plates at once, you’ll be accountable for issue management, crisis communications and managing reputational risk for Sodexo UK & Ireland. You’ll be quick to horizon scan the market, identify and respond to opportunities and risk and ensuring a 24/7 press response and escalation team are in place.

This appointment will be critical to bring together two teams, in London and Manchester, to deliver a coordinated strategy. Strong leadership, mentoring and strategic direction will be essential to your success. You’ll need to manage resources effectively to support segment, function and regional brand & communications needs, drive content governance and leverage through planning and sharing. A challenging opportunity to really get your teeth stuck into and make a mark for yourself in a dynamic global organisation operating across varied industries and sectors.

Role Responsibility

  • Own and deliver an integrated communications strategy that builds brand awareness, knowledge, positively positions and protects Sodexo reputation as the world leader in Quality of Life Services.
  • Lead and manage all aspects of corporate digital channel requirements both for the region and segment communications needs.
  • Lead and manage all core Public Relations functional areas including agencies
  • Manage crisis and issues
  • Serve as the lead executive for driving and coordinating public affairs/ stakeholder engagement activities.
  • Lead and develop a high performing team.
  • Serve as the Region lead to a broad range of senior internal and external stakeholders.

The Ideal Candidate

  • Strong and influential leader, able to lead and develop teams and relationships with a broad stakeholder audience.
  • Demonstrated success as an external communications professional, with experience of developing and leading comprehensive external communications strategy, robust media relations, integrated stakeholder engagement programs and corporate campaign delivery in a complex and fast moving environment
  • Proven experience planning and executing issue management and crisis communications at a national (international) level
  • Solid experience of managing digital platforms and integrating channels and tools into communications strategy and delivery – a proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs and
  • Content Management Systems, WordPress, Jahia, SEO, Google Ads, social channels, is needed
  • Best practice and benchmarking of digital and PR communications aspirations and achievements – design, development and analytics
  • Strong knowledge of social media platforms and how they are used by audiences and brands
  • Excellent project management skills that span the full-range of communications and engagement activities, balancing reactive priority and long term planning and project delivery
  • Experience working with or in the public sector and particularly working with government
  • Experience working in the private sector with a consumer focus
  • Media and business knowledge and contacts
  • Exceptional written, copy writing and editing skills, presentation and interpersonal skills
  • Exceptional listening skills, with the specific ability to seek out and be collaborative and synthesise information to create sound, well-organised plans
  • Experienced spokesperson, presenter and brand ambassador
  • Bachelor’s degree – advanced degree in a communications-related field preferred

Package Description

c.£85,000 per annum + excellent benefits

We also offer Sodexo Discounts site promoting discounted mobile phone tariffs, savings across restaurant chains and days out, where you and your family can save money on everything from your weekly food shop to the latest cinema blockbuster and much more

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to further engage ex-forces personnel and reservists. Those applying for roles with us who meet the essential criteria advertised under the ‘ideal candidate’ on the vacancy advertised are guaranteed to progress within the selection process.